Comox Fire Rescue - 2020 Awards Night

Comox Fire Rescue recently held its annual awards night, virtually, for 2020 due to the current COVID restrictions. 

The Department continued its tradition of recognizing members for various contributions to the fire department.

Captain Corey Brooks was recognized for his 25 years of service to the fire department and community. Lieutenant Sandy Pridmore was recognized for his 25 years also of service.

Delaney Carr was named Rookie of the Year, while Firefighter Luke Schram was awarded the Firefighter of the Year.

Firefighter Stefan Scott received the Stewart Rennie Memorial Award titled, “I Made a Difference.”

Firefighter Ramon Ramirez received the Kevin Kimler Memorial Award titled, “Above and Beyond.”

Luke Schram

Delaney Carr

Stefan Scott

Ramon Ramirez

“I am so proud of all of our members,” said Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “It takes a very special person to volunteer for anything, let alone to be a firefighter and an even better person to serve for many, many years. We are very demanding of our firefighters and expect a very high level of training and effectiveness from them. We are very fortunate, here in Comox, to have such a great group of firefighters assisting our community in so many ways.

Captain Corey Brooks

Lieutenant Sandy Pridmore

Our firefighters are our most important asset. Combined our three chief officers have over 100 years of service. We are a successful organization because of all the great people we have within the organization.”

Comox Fire Rescue has six full-time and 50 highly trained part-time members. They provide most of the services typical of a larger fire department and responded to about 700 emergency incidents a year.

Christmas Tree Safety

This Christmas Season, make sure to be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly.

Click the link to download the Christmas Tree Safety Tips sheet.

St. Peters Church joins Comox Fire Rescue AED program!

St. Peters Anglican Church in Comox has collaborated with the Comox Firefighters Association to add yet another automatic external defibrillator (AED) in Comox.

This one will be located at 218 Church Street, Comox (Corker Hall).

This wonderful group sees the value of having this important piece of equipment available to their members.

Chief Gord Schreiner states: “It is great to see organizations like this assisting us in our efforts to have AEDs available all over Comox. I am also very proud of our firefighters for their support of this important project. We now have almost fifty AEDs located in Comox.”

Schreiner’s long term goal is to have an AED available in almost every business and public building in Comox. Public access AEDS are very simple to use, maintain and can save lives!

A public access AED costs approximately $2000.00. The Comox firefighters have been co-sponsoring the AEDS with local Comox groups and businesses who agree to donate half of this amount ($1000.00). The Comox firefighters cover the remaining cost. They also provide both CPR and AED training to the businesses staff.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike at any time—during work, while at church, or while visiting your local business. Fewer than 10% of SCA victims typically survive, but studies show that 30% to 50% would likely survive if CPR and AEDs were used within five minutes of collapse. Communities across the country are responding by implementing Public Access Defibrillation programs. Public Access Defibrillation programs include both access to AEDS and training.

Comox Fire Rescue knows the value of AEDs as they carry AEDs on all of their emergency vehicles and also have one mounted in their fire station.

Please contact Comox Fire Rescue at firehall@comox.ca for further info

Meet our Members - Melissa DeMeda

This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Melissa DeMeda

Melissa joined Comox Fire Rescue in September of 2020 and has just started her Exterior Firefighting training.

Could you provide a brief background of your fire service career?

I’m brand new to the fire service and it’s a very exciting change after contemplating it for the past couple of years. I previously worked in emergency management, and my favourite part was always the hands-on, dynamic, and team-oriented work on the disaster ground, and I’m already finding parallels to what we do as firefighters. 

Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

A couple of years ago, my friend and I went to a workshop for women hosted by the Surrey Fire Service. Being able to put on turnout gear and try using the different tools to dismantle a car or put out a vehicle fire was such a fun experience, and opened my eyes to firefighting being a real possibility for me. Even after finishing two academic degrees, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted in a career, and this was a pivotal experience for me.

What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue?

For my partner Evan and I, we’re really happy that we get to do this together. I love the camaraderie amongst the team and the culture of hard work, continuous learning, and respect.  Plus, everyone is so inviting and encourages you to do activities together outside the hall.

Outside of the fire department, what are your interests/hobbies?

I really enjoy weightlifting and just being outdoors. We love taking our dog Charlie hiking and have recently taken up climbing. We definitely do our best to stay active as I love cooking and enjoy my fair share of playing video games!

How has being a member of Comox Fire added to your life?

2020 has had its fair share of challenges for me personally, and joining the department has been a really positive new beginning. We’re also brand new to Comox and are already grateful for new opportunities and relationships we’ve built so far. It’s added the sense of purpose and ability to serve others that I missed in previous jobs. 

We are very happy that Melissa has joined our team at Comox Fire Rescue.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “It takes a lot of work and dedication to become a firefighter, and Melissa is working hard towards that goal. Good luck on all your training!”

Meet our Members - Evan Johnson

This week on Meet our Members, we chat with Recruit Evan Johnson

Evan joined Comox Fire Rescue in September of 2020 and has just started his Exterior Firefighting training.

Was there any specific event that first interested you in becoming a firefighter?

• Ever since I can remember I had a calling to serve a higher calling. This began shortly after high school when I joined the United States Infantry. I deployed with 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2010-2011. After my time in the military I volunteered with Evan Mills Volunteer Ambulance Squad, and a few other volunteer agencies until I landed in Comox, BC, where I was accepted into the Comox Fire Rescue Recruit program. Serving others has always been where I feel most at home and complete.

What is your favourite part of volunteering for Comox Fire Rescue?

• There is a sense of camaraderie, purpose and duty that I missed after my time in the military that I have found once again in the Comox Fire Department.

Outside of the fire department, what are your interests or hobbies?

• I am an avid weight-lifter and runner. I enjoy spending my free time in the outdoors as much as I can with my partner Melissa and our dog Charlie. We enjoy hiking, camping, free climbing, and using the 4x4 in my truck.

How has being a member of Comox Fire Rescue added to your life?

A sense of purpose to serve those in need. A great reason to push myself to me the best I can be physically, mentally and emotionally.

“Evan has been a great addition to our team at Comox Fire Rescue.” says Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “Thanks so much for joining our team Evan and keep up the hard work.”